Trump urges nations to be ‘tough & decisive’ against North Korea

US President Donald Trump walks to Air Force One on August 4, 2017, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. (AFP photo)

US President Donald Trump has praised the United Nations for addressing North Korea’s missile and nuclear program, urging countries to increase their efforts in dealing with the threat posed by the North amid rising tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.

“After many years of failure, countries are coming together to finally address the dangers posed by North Korea,” Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

“We must be tough & decisive!” he said on Twitter.

Trump’s warning came following two tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles by Pyongyang last month. North Korea claimed that its latest missile, test-fired on July 4, can deliver a "large, heavy nuclear warhead" to the US continent.

US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said on Saturday the United States is preparing for all options, including a “preemptive war,” to stop North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

The UN Security Council on the same day passed a resolution slapping sweeping sanctions on the North over its first test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Thailand to strengthen ties between Washington and Bangkok and press its leaders to take more actions against North Korea.

Tillerson’s trip is the highest level visit to Bangkok by an American official since 2014 when a military coup soured relations with Washington.

Tillerson's top priority has been urging Southeast Asian countries to do more to cut funding streams for North Korea.

Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton told reporters aboard Tillerson's plane that the US believes North Korean front companies are using Thailand as a regional hub and Washington is encouraging Thai leaders to shut them down.

The US is strengthening its relations with Thailand after they were downgraded since the army seized power in 2014 in a coup.

The head of the military junta, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, formerly an army chief, said the coup was necessary to end political chaos and street protests.